T h e B u z z Roots rockers The Buzz is a band that defines success on their own terms. Quietly, this band has rung up achievement after achievement, mostly based on their nonstop touring of over 150 dates per year in roughly twenty markets. Their sound, a musical zeitgeist of hard hitting R&B, sprung from divergent blues and rock origins, has gained a loyal following of baby boomers and college crowds alike. It is this audience that made their previous release, Highway, draw sales of over 5,000 units, receive airplay on over 200 radio stations, and in its first six months draw 1200 hits on MP3.com. Surprisingly all of this came from a band that self released their own record, in the absence of a sugardaddy opening his wallet to make success happen for them. It was due to the demand from the Buzz's fanbase that in late November 1999, a live show was recorded. The resulting work, Live At Buddy Guys Legends, exhibits the intense, high-energy live show that the group is known for. In many ways, to the group's fans, the band has become synonymous with the club. That's not surprising due to the fact that The Buzz has been honing their chops there since 1995 when the band was founded by guitarist, vocalist Frank Blinkal and bassist Chris Bernhardt. As the host of the Monday night jam session, a prestigious affair that brings out the best of Chicago musicians, they were thrown to the fire, backing up such illustrious legends such as Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Sugar Blue, and the late Junior Wells. But it's The Buzz's own sets of venturous improvisation, a mixture of high-risk abandon coupled with an old school backbone, that draws the crowds interests. The Buzz has acquired their own unique sound, atypical of most other blues acts, which is so surprising from an act whose seasoned sound betrayed the fact that the groups members were in their twenties. As The Buzz graduated to touring the country in headlining status, as well as support for national-touring acts, Legends has remained the group's mainstay when they are back home. Live At Buddy Guys Legends first half features songs that have been in the group's repertoire for years. John Logan's "Lets Buzz" and Jodi Christian's "Ugh!" showcases the honky tonk wailings of saxophonist Jay Moynihan, while John Temple's "Big Leg Woman" and Otis Rush's "Double Trouble" equally demonstrate drummer Mike Rodbard's aggressive synchopations and subtle efficiency. The rock-inflected second half presents two Buzz originals, "Jack & Jill" and "Million Miles Away", coupled with a fan favorite cover of the Band Of Gypsies' "Them Changes." In some ways, Live At Buddy Guys Legends exhibits an era of The Buzz that is coming to a close. Blinkal and Moynihan are now members of the Buddy Guy Band, touring the world playing up to 150,000 people a year. When the blues legend turns the mic over for a Blinkal vocal, more people become aware of The Buzz' name. Material for a next studio record is written and has procured interest from Warren Haynes, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, and Johnny Sadlin who have inquired about filling the producers chair. But names like these cost money, and with a record industry that becomes more conservative with each passing year in promoting new talent, who knows what the future will bring. Nevertheless, The Buzz has that synergy that comes from years of playing together, a union that cannot be replicated by being a sideman or hired hand. So all you need to know is The Buzz:

Frank Blinkal: Guitars/Vocals Chris Bernhardt: Bass/Vocals

Jay Moynihan: Saxophones/Keyboards Mike Rodbard: Drums